March 16-18, 2018 in Blaine, Washington celebrates the incredible variety of migratory birds that flock to the coastal waters of Drayton Harbor, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo Bay at the northwest corner of Washington State. This major stopover on the Pacific Flyway between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, BC is designated as an Important Birding Area (IBA) and is the anchor for the North Cascades Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail. “The rich tapestry of birdlife in this area attracts birdwatchers from all over the country to experience a variety of birds close at hand.”-Joe Meche, Avid Birder, Writer and Photographer

Festival Location: The festival will take place at various locations in the Blaine area referenced in the festival map and schedule. On Saturday, March 17, the festival headquarters and all day birding expo will be located at Blaine Middle School and Blaine School Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street, Blaine.

The festival begins on Friday, March 16th, with an all-day guided fieldtrip to George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, BC. The number of bird species one can see at this top bird watching site on the Fraser Delta in Canada is remarkable, and includes up close encounters with many species, such as Sand Hill Cranes. Friday evening, join us for the Wings Over Water Opening and Featured Artist Reception at The Vault Wine Bar in Blaine. Enjoy food and wine, silent auction, wildlife art and photography displays, meet featured artist Annie Moorehead, and enjoy a presentation by Ric Zarwell from Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Adventures.

On Saturday, March 17, experience a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages and birding interests! Start the day with a hardy pancake breakfast and then hop aboard the 50’ Salish Sea for an offshore birding adventure in Boundary Bay and Semiahmoo Bay. There will be an all-day birding expo at the Blaine Middle School with live raptor presentations, wildlife exhibits, arts and craft vendors, kids' activities, and expert wildlife speaker presentations, or take a birding photography workshop to learn from experts how to capture the best wildlife images. There will be outdoor birding stations at several locations, and several guided birding fieldtrips to explore the abundance of bird species in the area in addition take a wildlife cruise around Drayton Harbor aboard the historic Plover Passenger Ferry. (Fees may apply for some activities – see the detailed schedule for more information).

Saturday evening at 5:00 pm enjoy a free presentation by this year’s Featured Speaker, Dr. Robert DeCandido, who will be presenting A Bird's Eye View of Migration Worldwide: From the Pacific Coast to the Far, Far East at the Blaine performing Arts Center. Dr. DeCandido, born and raised in the Bronx, New York, will draw on his New York birding experience, where with Deborah Allen* he leads ongoing and very popular bird walks in Central Park. In addition, he will share his experience birding here in the Pacific Northwest where he often visits family in Bellingham. He also brings his broader, worldwide experience of studying bird (primarily raptor) migration since the 1980’s including research sites in Nepal and Thailand. Go to www.BirdingBob.com for his scientific and popular articles on bird migration research and a large selection of bird and landscape photos from Asia, Israel and New York City, all available for free download.

*Deborah Allen is currently finishing a Field Guide to the Birds of Central Park for Columbia University Press, will be speaking at the festival on Saturday at 3:00 pm and on Sunday morning at the Birding Breakfast, (For more information, see festival schedule).

On Sunday there will be activities throughout the morning and afternoon at Birch Bay State Park, beginning with a Birding Breakfast Buffet and presentation by Deborah Allen at the BP Heron Center, 7290 Birch Bay Drive. There will be guided photography and birding walks following breakfast, as well as a free beginner’s photography workshop by Ken Salzman in the afternoon held at the BP Heron Center.
For additional information about the 2018 festival, as well as lodging and area activities, please contact (360) 543-9982 or e-mail: dharger@cityofblaine.com.

*Drayton Harbor/Semiahmoo Bay are designated as an Important Birding Area (IBA) located on the Pacific Flyway.